Thursday, October 23, 2014

The Sebago Summit - By Michelle Libby

Tuesday, business leaders from all over
the Sebago region gathered at Saint Joseph’s College for the second annual
Business 2 Business Summit hosted by the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of
Commerce.

Under the direction of Chamber’s
executive director Aimee Senatore, the event featured a keynote address by
Kevin Hancock, president and CEO of Hancock Lumber and a panel discussion about
The Power of Partnership, featuring local business men and women.

"I was exceptionally pleased with
the enthusiasm of the participating exhibitors and their willingness to break
out of their comfort zones. I witnessed and have heard about many new
partnerships that were formed, which is the whole point,” Senatore said.

There were other seminars throughout the
day one featuring Richard Dyke, owner of Windham Weaponry, and others talking
about maximizing your marketing, taking business to the next level and social
media.

“Feedback has been very positive.
Attendees found the keynote inspiring. They felt the educational workshops were
quite valuable. The end of the day keynote panel was very engaging,” said
Senatore. “Overall I am proud of this region and the momentum that continues to
build.”

Kevin Hancock led the day with his
motivational speech on transcendence. Business owners should be trying to
transcend rugged individualism, business and tribalism. No man is an island.
Sometimes doing everything by oneself isn’t the best way for business.

“Don’t confuse being busy with being
successful. It’s easy to be busy,” he said. And the third, tribalism, Hancock
encouraged the audience to look outside of their tribe, outside of the family,
community, company…look at big challenges, he said.

Hancock was diagnosed with a voice
disorder and has had to adjust his professional life to work within the limits,
he said. He listens more. He shares the power in the company. And, it’s working
for him and for his employees.

He is also working on improving
performance and reducing the number of hours employees work. Through a yearly
survey, Hancock Lumber can track the attitudes and feelings of its employees
and can change course as needed. Hancock Lumber was named number one in the
forestry industry in the best places for people to work poll. “I’m putting the
work back in its place,” said Hancock, who now spends time on the Pine Ridge
Indian Reservation in southwest North Dakota.

Hancock encourages his employees to
“Tell me more about that,” so they will tell him what’s happening in the
company.

He is dedicated to strengthening voices,
he told the group.

Other advice that came from the speakers
and seminars were “If you pick good people and can retain good people, you can
grow your companies,” said Dyke. “People are the key. There has to be a part
where everyone feels valuable and that what they did was just as important as
what others did.” - Dyke

When it comes to marketing, “keep it
simple,” Luanne Cameron from State Farm in Standish said.

People need seven
contacts from you before they will remember you, she said. Want to know what
strengths one has, visit www.strengthfinder.com, Cameron recommends.

Bob Baiguy from Bob the Screenprinter
said “The first impression is the most important impression.”

Woody Woodward from Dare to Succeed
encouraged people to join organizations and position themselves that way. “I’m
a firm believer in doing something first. First, second and last get
remembered.”

There were drawings for prizes and many
giveaways from the businesses in attendance. Exhibitor winners as determined by
the chamber were: Most Creative: Blossoms of Windham and Cheetah's Cafe &
Bakery and most interactive: Sedona Wellness